By Sam Draut–

Facing a near mirror image of itself, Louisville defeated University of Missouri-Kansas City 75-47 on the opening night of the Billy Minardi Classic at the KFC YUM! Center.

Five Cardinals scored in double figures led by Trey Lewis with 17 points. The fifth-year graduate transfer made three three-pointers in 26 minutes of play. Damion Lee added 14 points and three rebounds.

The Cardinals (10-1) went up against former assistant coach Kareem Richardson, who coached at Louisville from 2012-13. Richardson’s team showed off similar defensive schemes and offensive sets that coach Rick Pitino’s team usually runs.

Louisville jumped out to a 16-5 lead through the first seven minutes and grew its lead to eighteen points before going into halftime leading 38-22.

With the win over UMKC (7-5), Louisville will now prepare for the second part of the 14th annual Billy Minardi Classic on Wednesday against Utah Valley.

“We are going to have to get through these two games physically,” Pitino said.

After missing the past nine games with a sprained MCL, Deng Adel returned to action, playing eleven minutes and pulling down two rebounds.

“I wanted Deng Adel to get eight to ten minutes, and we were looking to get him back on the court, so mission accomplished there,” Pitino said.

In wake of losing forward Mangok Mathiang for six to eight weeks with a broken bone in his foot, a handful of other Cardinal frontcourt members alleviated the loss.

Chinanu Onuaku finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in 28 minutes of play. Freshman Ray Spalding tied Onuaku with a team high nine rebounds to go along with six points.

Jaylen Johnson came off the bench in the first half and scored a quick six points and ended with 10 points, the sophomores first career game in double figures.

“Jaylen is getting a lot better, which is good to see,” Pitino said. “He is becoming active.”

Matz Stockman played 12 minutes, scoring six points and blocking two shots.

After the game, Pitino said he thinks Anas Mahmoud could possibly be back by the Wake Forest game.